Qatar Airways boosts Boeing 777X order, will fly 777-8 and 777-9
By David Flynn, June 15 2015
Qatar Airways has boosted its Boeing 777X order to include ten of the long-range 777-8X jets alongside its standing order for fifty of the larger Boeing 777-9X aircraft.
The Boeing-friendly fillip, announced during this week's Paris Air Show, adds to a total of 320 orders and options for the advanced jet, which is expected to make its first commercial flight in 2020.
Boeing claims the 777X will be "the largest and most efficient twin-engine commercial jet in the world, with the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial airplane."
The 777-9X is spec'd for 400 passengers in a three-class cabin layout with a peak range nudging past 15,185km (8,200 nautical miles).
Following the 777-9X will be the 777-8X, which will trim the seat count to 350 passengers but extend the jet's maximum range past 17,220km (9,300 nautical miles).
Earlier this month Qantas name-checked the Boeing 777X as a possible replacement for its Airbus A380s when the superjumbos are retired around the mid-2020s.
Qantas' partner and Qatar Airways' Gulf competitor Emirates plans to replace its entire Boeing 777 fleet with 777X jets from 2020, having signed on the dotted line for 150 of the 777X airliners.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas
13 Jun 2015
Total posts 139
Will the B777-200s & -300s be retired?
29 Mar 2014
Total posts 78
They're fairly new, the 200 is the LR variant while the 300 is the ER variant, which are less than 10 years old. But since this is the Middle East and they sure as hell like their planes as new as they can be, probably yes.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
22 Apr 2013
Total posts 143
Keeping in mind too, 777x aren't scheduled to hit the air until 2020, meaning the 200/300 QR currently use will be crossing 15 years and on schedule for at least reviewing for potential onsale/lease.
Qantas
13 Jun 2015
Total posts 139
I have a feeling that the first Qatar B777X will fly from Doha to Perth Airport. This will eventually increase pax demand on the routes. Qatar is always using B777s since the inauguration in 3 July 2012. They could either use B777-8 or -9 depending on the airlines decision.
Hopefully when the B777x delivery begins, Qatar will retire A346 aircraft.
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